Almost a third (29 per cent) of UK employees say their wellbeing has improved over the past year, according to findings from the State of Employee Engagement Report 2022.* The figures provide a glimmer of optimism for employers, but should be treated with caution – 19 per cent say their wellbeing has declined during the same period, while 37 per cent say it’s remained the same.

“It’s encouraging that almost a third of employees feel their wellbeing has improved over the past year,” says Steven Frost, CEO of WorkBuzz. “But we must warn against celebrating too soon, as the wellbeing of UK employees remains on a knife edge – as shown by the decline in the health of almost a fifth of workers.”

WorkBuzz’s research included surveying more than 300 UK business leaders, HR professionals and employees, and drew on insights from more than 400 UK organisations. And it points to a couple of key reasons for the recent improvements in wellbeing – including better and broader wellbeing interventions, and a return to the physical workplace.

Frost adds: “The most common wellbeing initiatives organisations have put in place over the past 12 months include training mental health first aiders, training managers about wellbeing, encouraging employees to seek support, and establishing wellbeing groups and communities. On top of this, flexible and hybrid working has removed the pressure to work nine to five, giving employees greater choice of where and when they work.”

The State of Employee Engagement Report 2022 urges leaders to keep wellbeing at the top of their agendas, with those who admit a decline in their wellbeing citing a “post-COVID effect”, a decrease in face-to-face interaction and the demands of ‘always on’ digital working. Others say their wellbeing is being knocked by the cost of living, including the stress of juggling fuel, heating and food bills.

Frost continues: “Business and HR leaders must tune into the everyday pressures workers are facing, with recession and the cost-of-living crisis expected to worsen employee wellbeing over the coming months. It’s crucial organisations don’t become complacent over wellbeing post-COVID, but find ways to alleviate their people’s financial pressures while supporting their mental, social and emotional wellbeing.”